So this has been.my favorite song of OTEP's since it came out in 2004, and I always thought it was a song about a child's narrative of suffering in an abusive Christian home. But now that I am revisiting the lyrics, I am seeing something totally new.
This song could be gospel of John but from the perspective of Jesus.
Jesus was NOT having a good time up to and during the crucifixion. Everyone in the known world at the time looked to him with fear, admiration or disgust and he was constantly being asked questions. He spoke in "verses, prophesies and curses". He had made an enemy of the state, and believed the world was increasingly wicked and fallen from grace, or that he was in the "mouth of madness".
The spine of atlas is the structure that allows the titan to hold the world up. Jesus challenged the state and in doing so became a celebrated resistance figure. It also made him public enemy #1.
All of this happened simply because he was doing his thing, not because of any agenda he had or strategy.
And then he gets scourged (storm of thorns)
There are some plot holes here but I think it's an interesting interpretation.
You don't own me, no.
I'm not one of your little toys.
You don't own me, no.
You can't keep me from those other boys.
Don't tell me what to do and
Don't tell me what to say.
When I go out with you
Don't put me on display.
You don't own me, no.
Don't try to change me in any way.
You don't own me, no.
Don't tie me down 'cause I'd never stay.
I don't tell you what to say
I don't tell you what to do.
Just let me be myself.
That's all I ask of you.
You don't own me, no.
I'm not one of your little toys.
You don't own me, no.
You can't keep me from those other boys.
Don't tell me what to do and
Don't tell me what to say.
When I go out with you
Don't put me on display.
I don't tell you what to say
I don't tell you what to do.
Just let me be myself.
That's all I ask of you.
I'm wrong.
I love to be free.
I'm wrong. yeah, I love to be wrong.
I'm free. yeah, I love to be free.
Free to do whatever I want.
To live my life the way I please.
I'm not one of your little toys.
You don't own me, no.
You can't keep me from those other boys.
Don't tell me what to do and
Don't tell me what to say.
When I go out with you
Don't put me on display.
You don't own me, no.
Don't try to change me in any way.
You don't own me, no.
Don't tie me down 'cause I'd never stay.
I don't tell you what to say
I don't tell you what to do.
Just let me be myself.
That's all I ask of you.
You don't own me, no.
I'm not one of your little toys.
You don't own me, no.
You can't keep me from those other boys.
Don't tell me what to do and
Don't tell me what to say.
When I go out with you
Don't put me on display.
I don't tell you what to say
I don't tell you what to do.
Just let me be myself.
That's all I ask of you.
I'm wrong.
I love to be free.
I'm wrong. yeah, I love to be wrong.
I'm free. yeah, I love to be free.
Free to do whatever I want.
To live my life the way I please.
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its amazing how far music can come.. 24 years after it released and its one of the most heartfelt songs ive heard
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Like a lot of the other comments are saying, I think this mainly about voyeurism. If the song was about his girlfriend, then why would he use the word spy. If you are a spy it means you shouldn't be caught, that is kind of the whole point, and if you are a voyeur, the whole point of the pleasure you get from it, is the fact that the other people don't know you are watching them. See a bit of a connection there?
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The way this song speaks to me🥺🥺when I sing it I feel like I relate
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i love this song. its like "yes i'm your girlfriend but treat me right...don't be possessive and respect my freedom" love it.
It is a cover, but I don't know who did it originally. The Blow Monkeys did another cover for it, which is on the Dirty Dancing soundtrack.
It is a cover, but I don't know who did it originally. The Blow Monkeys did another cover for it, which is on the Dirty Dancing soundtrack.
This song is great... it's so in your face about it... like "this is the way it is... accept it. Don't even think about trying to change me." Damn Right!!!
P.S. One other thing I forgot to add... the part of the song "Don't tie me down 'cause I'd never stay. " I love that. It's just reminding this guy that he is only a pit stop in her life. They will both eventually move on from each other so he shouldn't try to keep her around if she wants to leave...
i don't know who it is originally by... but it is either dusty springfield or leslie gore. they both sang it, i just don't know who did it first, and i'm too lazy to find out. it is a great song though, and how could you not love rasputina's spin on it?
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts do this too.
Lesley Gore did it originally, and I love it.